Within the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, the Spirit Glaive emerges as a versatile halberd demanding strategic mastery. Its unique Rancor Slash Ash of War grants unconventional offensive patterns compared to standard polearms, favoring adaptive combatants who excel at exploiting tactical openings.
This guide explores optimizing the weapon’s potential through stat allocation, talisman synergy, and inventive combo execution – essential knowledge for maximizing burst damage output.
Weapon Overview
Mirroring the Night Rider Glaive’s fundamental attacks, this armament offers diverse striking options. The vertical slash delivers punishing overhead blows with extended reach, while lunging thrusts allow rapid gap-closing. Alternating between these and heavy running attacks creates unpredictable offensive sequences.
Halberd-class weapons traditionally dominate invasion scenarios through spacing control and mixup potential. The Glaive perpetuates this legacy, offering both defensive stability and aggressive pressure through its extended hitboxes and varied attack timings.
Rancor Slash Ash of War
Diverging from standard Sword Dance mimics, this skill summons vengeful apparitions that enable devastating chain attacks. Though initially appearing underwhelming, proper sequencing with follow-up strikes creates punishing combos. Optimal activation occurs after landing running light attacks or basic slashes during enemies’ recovery frames.
Post-update spectral projections exhibit enhanced tracking and impact, frequently trapping adversaries during dodges. This creates windows for guaranteed follow-through strikes when properly spaced, rewarding precise timing with substantial health bar depletion.
Recent Buffs
Balance adjustments significantly amplified the weapon’s effectiveness. Spectral allies now inflict greater posture damage against guarded foes while dealing increased direct damage. These changes address previous limitations against defensive builds, transforming the Glaive into a formidable shield-breaker.
Scaling and Stats
Prioritize Dexterity investment with secondary Strength allocation to maximize two-handed scaling bonuses. This approach synergizes with the weapon’s inherent multipliers when wielded with both hands, particularly benefiting charged heavy attacks and stance-breaking maneuvers.
Talisman Configuration
The Shard of Alexander remains paramount for Ash of War enhancement, crucial for exploiting damage windows during roll-catch combos. Complement this with the Two-Handed Sword Talisman to amplify stance damage, while Dragoncrest Shield and Erdtree’s Favor +2 bolster survivability during extended engagements.
Combat Methodology
Initiate engagements with mobile attacks to condition opponents’ dodge patterns. Punish defensive maneuvers by triggering Rancor Slash during their recovery animations, allowing specters to interrupt subsequent escapes. Maintain pressure through varied running attacks – thrusts for immediate pursuit and heavy slashes for timing mixups.
Leverage enhanced shield-piercing capabilities to overwhelm defensive builds, particularly following recent updates. Capitalize on extended reach to control spacing, alternating between cautious pokes and aggressive combo initiators based on opponent behavior.